After Los Che chiefs announced the possibility of both being sold, Manchester United were linked with a stunning double-raid in January for the Mestalla stars.

Whether United, or indeed Liverpool, will make an offer in January is open to conjecture but it would seem Valencia are ready to discuss a possible sale.

Valencia sporting director Fernando Gomez told Las Provoncias TV: "If there was a moment that arrived that we cannot stand it any more, then of course we must sell and they [Villa & Silva] would be sold.

"We made a great effort in the summer to keep them, but if the economic situation continues, then things could become very serious.

"Still it was a success for us to keep them, because there was some large money offered to us."

Gomez stopped short though of saying a fresh offer had already been submitted, as he added: "We have not received an official offer for either Villa or Silva. I only know what has been said in the papers."